Via iStockphoto / @tv.lewis_ TikTok
Shrinkflation is a unhappy evil. It has affected everything supermarkets Unpleasant fast food and now apparently the children’s menu in sit-down restaurants.
While some people are going after consumers, others say it’s really greedy companies that are to blame. What is your opinion?
Is this even enough for a child?
In a trending TikTok with over 138,700 viewscontent creator Lewis (@tv.lewis_) shared a photo of what LongHorn Steakhouse served as a kid’s meal steak.
“I don’t know if I want to be angry or laugh. This is the supposed size of a long horned kid’s meal these days,” the text overlay read.
In the picture you see a piece of meat so small it barely takes up a corner of the takeout container. The package also shows a lobster tail (which shouldn’t even have been there) and a small portion of macaroni and cheese.
“Don’t ignore the fact that the lobster tail is on the wrong plate. Let’s talk about this steak. LongHorn served this as a kid’s steak and then told me that all kid’s steaks now weigh 100 grams. If that’s the case, the menu should reflect this because this portion is gamey,” she explained in the caption.
BroBible has verified that LongHorn Steakhouse does not list the steak size for a kids’ meal on its online menu.
A 4 ounce steak
According to WebstaurantShopA standard serving size for sirloin steak (the cut LongHorn uses for its kids’ meal) is 8 to 10 ounces per adult. Four ounces is closer to a serving of breakfast or business lunch.
What is shrinkflation?
Shrinkflation is what happens when restaurants or businesses keep prices the same (or increase them) while quietly reducing portion sizes. Taste of home explains.
Yelp data shows the trend is widespread: 47 states saw an increase in inflation-related complaints between 2021 and 2022, and 35 states reported an increase of more than 25% during that period.
The causes are well known: rising food costs, ingredient shortages, higher wages and supply chain problems. The result is that customers often only notice that something has changed when they are already sitting in front of a smaller plate and with an empty stomach.
Why adults order the LongHorn kids meal
The LongHorn kids steak is circulating on social media as a money-saving hack for adults. According to Chow doga food media publication, the kid’s sirloin is traditionally listed as a 4-ounce steak (the same Renegade sirloin from the adult menu) for about $10, while the same steak and a loaded baked potato on the adult menu costs almost $20.
Adults quietly order it to save money, especially as a takeout order, since many LongHorn locations don’t allow adults to order from the kids’ menu when dining there. If the portion has since dropped to 100 grams without any menu disclosure, that changes the math of the hack significantly.
Commenters respond
Viewers are divided over who to blame for the alleged change.
“Yes, the cheap adults who tried to cheat the system ruined it for the kids,” read one top comment.
“It’s insane to blame the adults who order a kid’s meal instead of the greedy corporations who make MILLIONS a year in revenue,” one person said.
“It’s crazy that people think ordering a smaller meal is a scam,” wrote another.
“Oh… are we back in the age where companies are defended with our lives? Y’all assume they’re adults instead of just saying a company is still cutting back on kids’ meals,” one commenter added.
BroBible reached out to Lewis for comment via direct message and comment on TikTok, and via email with LongHorn Steakhouse. We’ll be sure to update this if either responds.
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